The Secret to Life, Health, and Happiness: Change Your View of God

Over the past 3 decades brain research has come so far. Today we know that because of sin, all of our brains are out of balance and we all experience effects of out-of-control stress—the amygdala of the brain firing up constantly, which in turns effects our entire being. The constant stress impairs physical growth by shunting blood and energy away from our internal organs to the muscles. Our immune system is impaired and our prefrontal cortex can become paralyzed.

When fear increases, then love, growth, development and healthy thinking decrease. On the other hand, when love increases. Not only does fear decrease, but growth, development and healthy thinking improves. A person that never knows healthy love (their “love tank” is always on empty); their prefrontal cortex of the brain becomes dominated by the impulses of the limbic system [the part of the brain that controls the automatic systems of the body, our emotions, and survival responses].

When we are involved in activities that are sinful [violate God’s laws of love and justice], the conscience responsible for strategizing and planning, is impaired. In other words, we cannot think clearly when we are guilt-ridden. In order for our judgment to work best, our consciences must be clear. This is God’s design. This can only happen when we live in harmony with God’s law of love. This requires removing distorted God-concepts and seeking true knowledge of him [through the Holy Bible]. We tend to interpret God through our brokenness. This is why it is imperative we get our information about God straight from the Bible. God is love. God is good.

When we do this, the heart of your brain [called the anterior cingulate cortex, ACC); where we experience empathy, compassion, and love; where we choose right from wrong] grows stronger and calms or resolves the guilt feelings.

This amazing balance between reason and conscience was designed by God to enable human beings to make healthy choices. When we contemplate thoughts and activities that violate God’s law, the conscience fires up to alert us of danger. It simultaneously impairs the ongoing planning of the destructive sinful action, while the orbital frontal cortex sends signals attempting to correct inappropriate behavior.

Those who persist in the unhealthy [sinful/selfish] actions, despite the firing up of the conscience, may find greater difficulty removing themselves from the destructive thinking and behaviors. This is due to the damaging effect that selfish and fear-based actions have on the ACC. It is in this area of the brain that the battle between love and selfishness is either won or lost.

Life, health, and happiness are found where love flows free. And love flows where the truth about God is known. Recent scientific studies proclaim that worshipping a God of love stimulates our brain to heal and grow, while worshipping a God other than love activates fear circuits in our brains. If fear circuits are not calmed, chronic inflammation and damage to our brains, bodies, and relationships occurs.

If you want to hear the entire message you may download it at: Every Body Matters. Scroll down and click on this episode coming on Wednesday the 15th: The Secret to Life, Health, and Happiness: Change Your View of God